Going Away This Waitangi Day? Here's How To Save Money On Power!

Waitangi Day is almost here! If you’re thinking of renting a place for a staycation or going somewhere private and safe to celebrate, it’s best to follow the best practices of keeping your home safe. Along with that, why not try and save money on power too, while you're away?

Here are some electrical safety and power-saving tips you can follow for a worry-free celebration.

Get a smoke detector

Whether you’re home or outside, put your mind at ease by installing a smoke detector. Smoke detectors can help alert you and your neighbours in case of a potential electrical fire or electrical issues. If you’re renting, ask your landlord if there are any smoke detectors installed in your building.

Check your place for any faulty electrical wirings

Before leaving, give your place and its surroundings a scan to see if there are any faulty electrical wirings or exposed wires that need to be fixed.

Check your electrical sockets and extension plugs

Do a quick check if all the sockets at your place are working correctly. Check if there are any loose or broken power socket covers that might reveal wirings. 

Make sure to unplug unused gadgets and appliances before you leave. Most of them have phantom power which means they consume energy even if they’re not actively being used. Unplugging them while you’re away will keep your place safer and help you save on your power bill.

Read: What Is The Average Power Bill In New Zealand?

Switch to smart appliances

While many of us are spending more time at home now, it’s essential to keep your place safe and up-to-date when it comes to your appliances and gadgets. More and more homeowners are switching to a smart home system for its reliability and practicality. Aside from having great features, smart home appliances help you save on your power bills in the long run. 

If you're celebrating Waitangi Day outside or going on vacation, consider updating your plugs and door locks for better security!

Smart plugs and switches

They might seem like the least exciting smart home devices to purchase, but they have amazing features to keep your home safer! Apart from controlling your appliances, you can set a schedule, and lessen your energy consumption. You have lots of options to choose from to suit your budget and needs. Some devices allow you to keep track of your energy consumption and give you an estimate on how much you’re spending on electricity. 

Read: How To Set Up A Smart Home: The Beginner’s Guide

Smart locks

Keep your home safe with smart locks! Apart from being effective, they come in different styles. With smart locks, you can check whether your door is locked while you’re out. Some devices also have features like keyless codes that you can send to your friends and family, the ability to track who’s coming in and out of your house, etc.

Waitangi Day 2022

Because of another variant surge, most festivals got cancelled early this year. However, that doesn’t mean you can’t celebrate the public holiday at the comfort of your home. You can still mark Waitangi Day with your family and friends away from the crowds by doing the following:

• Watch a three-hour Waitangi special which will air on Three from 7:00 to 10:00 am on February 6. It’s a collaboration between Northland’s Te Hiku Media and Three, wherein events and some interviews were pre-recorded at the Treaty Grounds in January to give you a “virtual Waitangi” experience.
• You can also watch Waitangi Day 2022 on Māori TV for all-day coverage of the holiday, including pre-recorded interviews from Te Hiku Media, a one-hour Te Ao with Moana special, Aotearoa-made movies and documentaries, and a Troy Kingi concert which will run until midnight.
• Have a safe get together with your family and friends and share a meal with them.
• If you just want to relax and enjoy the public holiday on your own, you can spend your day reading or listening to podcasts about the holiday.

Read: NZ Broadband Deals: Where To Get Free Netflix, HBO, Amazon Prime Video, And Disney+

Whether you’re staying in or going out on 6th February, make sure that your place is safe and you're able to all year round with the right Power plan.

Use glimp’s FREE comparison tool and discover the best plans from leading NZ Power providers in your area!